Feeding a dog isn’t as simple as pouring a can of dog food into a bowl and leaving it for your pooch to eat at its leisure. Knowledgeable owners, handlers and trainers are often extremely passionate (sometimes to the point of being evangelical) about their preferences. They know that in order to give your animal the best type of dog food to supply the exact nutrition that he or she needs, there are some important guidelines to follow.
Greyhounds As Pets produced a very handy infographic guide titled “Essential Feeding Advice: How to Keep Your Dog Happy,” that covers most of the important details about dog feeding. It outlines all features of guaranteeing that your pooches are fed in the correct manner. High quality nutrients such as fiber, protein and vitamins are crucial for a dog’s diet. You will also need to take into account your dog’s activity level, the size of your dog and its age. Did you know that puppies have different nutritional requirements to adult dogs? A diet that is perfect a large breed like a St. Bernard or Rottweiler would not suit a small breed such as a terrier or a poodle.
In addition to this, knowing what kinds of food not to give them is also of vital importance. For example, did you know that yeast dough and raw eggs could cause dogs stomachs to become bloated? Therefore it’s of the utmost importance that you take great care with the food that you supply to your dog.
For the tips you’ll need to make sure that your dog is happy at all times, let’s take a look at the infographic below!
What are your essential feeding tips? Let us know in the comment section below!
Loren Lasher June 23, 2016
Feeding Tip
Dry food is very popular, however, dry food may be dangerous.
DRY DOG FOOD – ADD WATER
By Loren D. Lasher
For the past 5 years I have been adding water to my dog’s dry kibble. Letting it soak for 12-15 minutes before serving; I have found many benefits. For my older dog, who had been plagued with digestive problems, they have all been resolved. In my research, I have gotten some support and some conflicting ideas but I believe if you read on, you can make up your own mind. There are many, many benefits of soaking dry food. I share this information, not as an expert, but as a person with some experience wanting to add to your ‘perspective’ and the health of your dog and/or cat. Read this article, check with your Vet and make up your own mind.
First, dogs, cats and many animals were designed to eat foods which were 70%-90% moisture. Dry kibble is dehydrated to about 10% moisture. When a dog eats the dry food, the food is seeking moisture and robs the animal of important vital fluids and creates a situation of the dog being dehydrated and needing to rehydrate. With dry food both the stomach and intestines are upset. Important digestive fluids are taken up by the dry food in the stomach and in the intestines. Intestines are designed to get nutrition from moisture. Dry food prevents much absorption of nutriments in the intestine. When an animal eats the dry food and fills their stomach and afterward water is added, from drinking after eating, the stomach swells and may contribute to bloat. The dry food swells in size and robs the dog of important digestive fluids.
Do an experiment and decide for yourself. Take two cups and put about 1/3 cup of dry food in each cup. Keep one cup dry and to the other cup, add half of cup of warm water and let it set for 15 minutes. Compare and think about what is happening to your dog’s stomach.
There are many benefits to adding water and soaking. First, the dog becomes and stays hydrated. Second, it reduces bloating. Third, it is easier to chew and digest. Fourth, with a bit of ‘gravy’, it tastes better. Fifth, with warm water the ‘aroma’ is inviting. Dogs like good smells. Sixth, the dog will eat less food and be full. You can reduce the amount of dry food served. I feed my 90 pound lab 2 cups of kibble soaked; 1 cup morning and 1 cup night. Finally, with wet food, the dog will eat slower.
Some people might argue that eating dry food cleans the dog’s teeth. Not so! Most dogs do not chew enough with the dry food. If you want cleaner teeth, you have to clean their teeth. Some chew bones may help, but not kibble.
Bottom Line: Bringing dry food to higher moisture content will benefit the animal in many ways. They will be healthy and hydrated. Add equal or more water per kibble. One cup kibble, one and one half cup water (minimum), soak 12-15 minutes. For a little extra, you might add a bit of low salt broth.
Marc Lindshield July 10, 2016
HELP ! !
I’ve been feeding my American Bulldog / Pit Bull mix Science Diet “Adult Large Breed Chicken / Barley” since she came home from the Shelter. It was what they were feeding her and it is the only LARGE Kibble I can seem to find. (She does not like small kibble probably in part because she inhales)
I have attempted to adjust by introducing other dry and even prepared boiled chicken with rice to mix. She needed to add some weight when she came home but I’ve “Out did” myself in that department and now need to drop a good 10-13lbs. I’ve also understood that this food is really not very good or high quality as it has a lot of “Fillers”.
Is anyone aware of a brand that is GOOD Nutritional Value and large kibble I can introduce? I stay away from Lamb (really rich or fatty) foods and understand the comment about adding water. We are on the road, even Internationally so something I can buy or locate Nationwide would be great.
Thank You for any suggestions,
Marc & Luna
Marge Falendysz February 5, 2022
Natures blend by veterinarian Dr Marty. (IMHO). It is nutrient dense, freeze dried to retain nutrients (not cooked) and exceeds the AAFCO (American association of Feed control officials).
The comments below are from my daughter who is Attending Veterinarian at a research facility when I asked the same question about dog food:
The FDA does regulate pet food. AAFCO does not, but they set the standards which would be considered generally to be a healthy diet for each species and life stage. So we were taught in vet school to look for a statement that says it complies with AAFCO guidelines when picking food. AAFCO guidelines can be met by doing nutritional calculations and making sure you have the right macro and micro nutrients according to their standards. You can also do an AAFCO standardized feeding trial. Bigger dog food companies use feeding trials, because they offer the best evidence that the food is nutritionally complete. The FDA would be the agency that regulates what you can put in the dog food and how you must label it, in addition to states. So if there was a problem with a specific ingredient or contamination of a product batch, I guess it would be FDA that would do the recall.
Nature’s Blend even has videos to explain how to transition your dog from the old food to the new food and how to handle any reactions they might have and why.
Marge Falendysz February 5, 2022
The comments about Nature’s blend are mine only. I didn’t want anyone to think that the individual I was speaking of recommended it. However, Dr Marty is a Veterinarian for 45 years.